Toilet tank supply valve assembly



Aug- 18 1964 c. l.. GoLD'rRAP TOILET TANK SUPPLY VALVE ASSEMBLY FiledJune 13, 1961 9 cv' u a, L@ E l l mi@ @m \N, T `N.. 4 M l O s Q a .H w@u 2ML/1MM@ T 9 v 1M C United States Patent Oflice l3,144,874l PatentedAug. 18, 1964 3,144,874 TGILET TANK SUPPLY VALVE ASSEMBLY Charley L.Golrltrap, Denver, Colo., assignor to Twentieth Century Products Corp.,Denver, Colo. Filed June 13, 1961, Ser. No. 116,859 7 Claims. (Cl.137-414) This invention relates generally to the plumbing art, and moreparticularly to a new and useful toilet tank supply valve assembly.

My pending application Serial No. 779,739 liled December 1l, 1958, nowreplaced by continuation application Serial No. 249,954 led January 7,1963, discloses a new and useful toilet tank supply valve assemblyhaving a normally generally upright casing provided with a water inletpassage adjacent one end, an inlet valve seat associated with thepassage, an inlet control valve engageable with the inlet valve seat anddefining with the opposite end of the casing a pressure chamber in thecasing, a tank iilling water outlet passage communicating with theinterior of the casing on the same side of the inlet control valve asthe inlet valve seat, a pressure equalizing passage vthrough the inletcontrol valve placing the pressure charnber in communication with theinlet passage, a bleed passage communicating with the chamber forrelieving the pressure therein, a bleed valve seat associated with theybleed passage, a bleed control valve engageable with the bleed valveseat and normally held thereagainst by water in the pressure chamber,and a float guidingly supported on the casing for movement betweenelevated and lowered positions in response to changes in the water levelin an associated tank, the bleed control valve being disengaged from thebleed valve seat to open the bleed passage upon movement of the float toits lowered position and being movable to engage the bleed valve seatand close the bleed passage upon movement of the float to its elevatedposition, the inlet control valve being held against the inlet valveseat by the water in the chamber when the latter is at substantiallysource pressure and being disengaged from the inlet valve seat by waterin the inlet passage when the pressure in the chamber is relieved byopening the bleed passage.

A primary object of my invention is to provide a toilet tank supplyvalve assembly of this type with means eliminating surging and waterhammer.

Another object of my invention is to provide a toilet tank supply valveassembly of this type with means avoiding objectionable back pressure inconjunction with bleeding the pressure chamber.

A toilet tank supply valve assembly constructed in accordance with myinvention is characterized in one aspect thereof by the provision, in avalve assembly of the aforesaid type, of an inlet valve seat having acentral opening Aalined with the water inlet passage, an upstandingflange around the central opening, multiple openings through the valveseat around the ange, and a diaphragm valve overlying the seat andmovable to engage the flange prior to 'engaging the valve seat aroundthe ilange.

In another aspect thereof, a toilet tank supply valve assembly of myinvention is characterized by the provision, in a supply Valve assemblyof the foregoing type, of surge damper means separating the opposite endportions of the pressure chamber, the surge damper having a passage ofsmall diameter relative to said chamber extending between the oppositeend portions thereof.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing featuresof a toilet tank supply valve constructed in accordance with myinvention will become clearly apparent from the ensuing detaileddescription of a presently preferred embodiment thereof, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein like referencenumerals denote like parts throughout the various views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical, sectional view of one form of toilet tank supplyvalve assembly of my invention in its closed condition, with the waterin the associated tank at the desired level, ready for flushing, partsbeing broken away for ease of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a similar view, showing my valve assembly in its opencondition for filling an associated tank;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal, sectional view taken about on line III-III ofFIG. 1 showing an inlet valve seat of my invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view of a pressure regulatingdevice of my invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, horizontal sectional view of a strainer of myinvention, taken about on line V-V of FIG. l; and

FIG. 6 is a horizontal, sectional view taken about on line VI-VI of FIG.2.

Referring now in detail to the illustrative embodiment of my inventionshown in the accompanying drawing, it will be seen that the same isadapted for use in a toilet tank, indicated at 1, of a type adapted tohave a dump valve operable by a handle, not illustrated. Normally, thewater level A (FIG. l) is maintained in tank 1, whereby an adequatesupply of water is available at all times for flushing an associatedtoilet bowl, not shown.

The supply valve assembly of my invention is closely similar in mostrespects to the supply Valve assembly disclosed in my pendingapplication Serial No. 779,739, and is adapted to communicate with theusual supply line leading to a source of water under pressure, notillustrated. To this end, the valve assembly has a normally uprightcasing 2 provided adjacent its lower end with a laterally enlarged bodyportion 3 terminating in an inlet conduit portion 4. A shank 5 hasthreaded engagement with conduit 4 and extends through the bottom wallof the tank, being secured thereto as by the nut 6, with a sealinggasket 7 being provided between the tank bottom wall and a flange 8 onthe shank 5.

The casing 2 is of vertically elongated, generally cylindrical form, andguidingly supports a float member, generally designated 10, for risingand falling movement therealong in response to variations in the waterlevel of the associated tank, the float being adapted to move betweenthe elevated position shown in FIG. l and the lowered position shown inFIG. 2. Float 10 is formed to provide an air chamber portion 11 and awater chamber portion 12. Air chamber portion 11 is formed to provideinner and outer, generally concentric annular skirt portions 13 and 14,respectively, and water chamber portion 12 is similarly constructed,having inner and outer, generally concentric annular skirt portions 15and 16, respectively. Skirt 15 of water chamber portion 12 is designedto relatively closely, slidingly tit the casing 2, and telescopicallyreceives the depending skirt 13 of air chamber 11, whereby the distanceor spacing B between the outer skirt portions 14, 16 can be varied bytelescopically adjusting air chamber portion 11 and water chamberportion 12 relative to each other. This provides a means for adjustingthe water level A, as fully described in my pending application SerialNo. 779,739.

Casing 2 is provided with a water inlet passage 18 through shank portion4, and passage 18 leads to an inlet valve seat 19. An inlet controlvalve 20, comprising a diaphragm of resiliently flexible material suchas rubber, is adapted to engage the seat 19. Valve 20 has a dependingperipheral skirt 21 engaged in a groove y22 in the lower half of theenlarged casing portion 2, the diaphragm 20 being held in place by thespacer member 23. Member 23 is in the form of a transverse wall lockedin place by the two halves of the enlarged casing portion 3, and formedwith a hollow, central boss 24. The web portion of member 23 is providedwith several openings 25 therethrough, and is adapted to act as a stopfor diaphragm 20 when the latter moves away from seat 19.

Multiple tank filling water outlet passages 26 extend into the lowerhalf of the casing body 3, into communication with an annular groove 27in the form of a collector passage below the inlet valve seat 19 andaround an annular flange 28 depending therefrom. A passage 26' extendslaterally from collector passage 27 into a laterally projecting nipple29 adapted to receive a conduit leading to the usual overflow pipe, notillustrated.

At its upper end, casing 2 is provided with a bleed passage 30therethrough, this passage normally being closed by a bleed controlvalve 31 carrying an O-ring 32 adapted to bear against the valve seat 33around the passage 30. An internal float, in the form of an inverted cup34, is provided in the casing, and is confined in the upper end thereofby a surge damper 35,

which divides the interior of casing 2 into a bleed portion 38 and aninlet portion 39. Member 35 is provided with an elongated, tubularcentral portion 36 having a passage 36' therethrough of substantiallysmaller diameter than the interior of the casing, and a skirt 37concentric therewith and frictionally engaging the inner wall of casing2 for holding the surge damper in place.

Diaphragm valve 20 has a member 40 extending therethrough and providedwith a pressure equalizing passage 41, the member 40 terminating at itslower end in a transverse slot 42 opening into the inlet passage 18 andcommunicating with passage 41. Thus, it is seen that the pressurechamber 43 provided between inlet valve 20 and bleed valve 34, andcomprising the portions 38, 39, is open at all times to water undersource pressure through the pressure equalizing passage 41, 42.

When in its position of rest, with tank 1 filled to the level A, theparts assume the position illustrated in FIG. 1 with inlet valve 20 onits seat 19 and with the chamber 43 at source pressure. The water inchamber 43 holds bleed valve 31 against its seat 33, and the waterpressure in chamber 43 holds the diaphragm inlet valve 20 against itsseat 19.

Bleed valve 31 has a part in the form of a post 44 projecting throughbleed passage 30 and formed with a rounded end 45 positioned to engagean eccentrically positioned cam surface 46 comprising an inclined sidewall portion of a generally cup-shaped member 47 having a friction titin the inner skirt 15 of water chamber portion 12. Member 47 engages anannular ange 48 at the end of skirt 15, and comprises a transverse wallin oat 10.

When the tank 1 is dumped and the water level drops, the oat moves toits lowered position illustrated in FIG. 2, and cam surface 46 engagesthepost 44 and l cants it, together with the associated bleed valve 41,to open bleed passage 30. This relieves the pressure in chamber 43, bypermitting Water to escape therefrom through bleed passage 30. Waterescaping through bleed passage 30 passes between the end of the casingand member 47 whose bottom wall is spaced above the casing end by lugs49. The escaping water then passes downwardly between casing 2 and theoat skirt 15 which is spaced therefrom by vertical centering ribs 15.

An opening 50 is provided in the lower side wall and adjacent bottomwall portion of member 47, and this opening permits the escaping waterto pass into member 47. This is a feature of importance, because itrelieves any back pressure which might otherwise occur as the escapingwater attempts to pass between casing 2 and float 10. A vent 51 isprovided in the float cover 52.

Once the pressure in chamber 43 is relieved in this manner, the sourcepressure causes inlet diaphragm 20 to move away from its seat 19,permitting water to pass across the seat 19 and out through the tankfilling passages 26. The tank begins to till and as the water approachesthe desired level A, float 10 rises to its elevated position shown inFIG. 1, permitting bleed valve oat 34 to float the valve 31 into closedposition. Once the bleed passage is closed, the water in chamber 43builds up to source pressure, thereafter closing the diaphragm valve 20because of the greater area thereof exposed to the pressure chamber.Thus, the general operation of this supply valve assembly is the same asdescribed in my pending application Serial No. 779,739. However, thevalve assembly of this invention has several features of particularsignificance, as follows.

First, it will be observed that a relatively unrestricted escape path isprovided water passing from chamber 43 through bleed passage 30, becauseof opening 50 which permits such water to pass into the upper part ofoat It). This is important because it avoids back pressure problemswhich otherwise might occur.

Also, termination of the pressure equalizing passage 41 in the laterallydirected slot 42 is important, because it reduces the danger of passage41 becoming clogged by foreign matter entrained in the water. Indeed,the lateral slot 42 tends to clean itself by the passage of inlet waterlaterally therethrough.

Further, the damper 35 avoids problems which might otherwise occur uponsurging in chamber 43, and provides a retaining member for the float 34and bleed valve 31 once the parts are assembled, but prior toinstallation and use. In other words, during assembly bleed valve 31 isfirst fitted in the chamber with the part 44 projecting through thebleed passage 30. Then, float member 34 is inserted, following which thesurge damper is positioned in the chamber. Once that is done, the bleedvalve 31 and float 34 cannot fall downwardly out of the bleed portion 38of pressure chamber 43.

Of particular importance is the inlet valve seat 19. It will be observedthat this seat is annular in form, being supported above the collectorpassage 27 by the flange 28, and having upstanding inner and outerperipheral flanges 53 and 54. The lower, annular body portion 55 betweenlianges 53 and 54 is provided with an annular series of openings 56therethrough, for the passage of water from the inlet passage 18 tocollector passage 27.

In operation, as diaphragm 20 is moved against its seat 19 by thebuildup of pressure in chamber 43, it first engages flange 53 and thensqueezes water out through openings 56. This closing action causes thediaphragm 20 to settle easily on its seat 19, thereby eliminatingsurging and water hammer.

The tank is filled through openings 56, passage 27 and openings 26, andit is noted that the latter open downwardly, over shank 5 which providesa shoulder 57 closely adjacent openings 26 to break up the flow of watertherefrom and thereby reduce the noise of filling.

A strainer 58 is provided of the type disclosed in my pendingapplication 723,556, tiled March 24, 1958. Strainer 58 is in the form ofa hollow cylinder having a lateral flange 59 at its open end, beingclosed at its opposite end and having a grid like side wall structureformed by parallel bars 60. The bars 60 are of generally rectangularcross section, whereby they are closer together on the inside than onthe outside. Supply water flows through the strainer 58 from the outsideto the inside, and the strainer design provides a non-cloggingconstruction which effectively precludes the entry of foreign matter ofany objectionable size. An open mesh screen 61 also is provided, and isin the form of a fabric which is conveniently retained inside thestrainer, tending to uncoil and thereby maintaining itself against theinside wall of strainer 58.

A pressure regulator 62 also is provided, being constructed in a mannersimilar to strainer 58 with a mounting flange 59 and side wall bars 60'.Regulator 62 has a solid wall cup 63 inverted therein to provide fluidpassages 64 of relatively small cross sectional area between bars 60.The position of cup member 63 in regulator 62 can be varied, to varythearea of passages 64, and regulator 62 and strainer 58 are mounted inopposition in the-manner shownin the drawings.

` Accordingly, it is seen that-my invention fully accomplishes itsintended objects.- While I have disclosed and described in detailonlyone,v illustrative embodiment thereof, it will vbe appreciated thatmy invention is not necessarily limited to the details of suchembodiment, and I intend to include all` such variations andmodifications as will occur to those skilled in the art.

I claim: -1 Y 1. A toilet tank supply valve assembly comprising anormally generally upright casing having a water inlet passage adaptedfor communication with a source of water under pressure, an inletcontrol valve defining a pressure chamber in said casing, a tank llingwater outlet passage from said casing, communication between said tankfilling and water inlet passages being interrupted vby closing of saidinlet control valve, a pressure equalizing passage placing said pressurechamber in cornmunication with said inlet passage, a bleed passagecommunicating with said chamber for relieving the pressure in saidchamber, a bleed control valve, and a float guidingly supported formovement between elevated and lowered positions in response to changesin the water level in an associated tank, said bleed control valve beingmoved to open said bleed passage upon movement of said float to saidlowered position and being movable to close said bleed passage uponmovement of said float to said elevated position, said inlet controlvalve being held closed by the water in said chamber when the latter isat substantially source pressure and being opened by water in said inletpassage when the pressure in said chamber is relieved by opening saidbleed passage, together with a surge damper positioned in said pressurechamber, said surge damper extending across said chamber and having apassage therethrough of small diameter relative to that of said chamber,said surge damper comprising an elongated tubular central portionproviding said passage therethrough and an outer skirt portionconcentric therewith and bearing against the inner wall of said chamber,said skirt portion opening toward said inlet control valve.

2. A toilet tank supply valve assembly as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid surge damper divides said chamber into a bleed portion and an inletportion, and wherein said surge damper confines said bleed control valveto said bleed portion of said chamber.

3. A toilet tank supply valve assembly as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid surge damper is of one-piece construction, and said skirt portionfrictionally engages the inner Wall of said chamber thereby retainingsaid surge damper in place in said chamber.

4. A toilet tank supply valve assembly comprising a normally generallyupright casing having a water inlet passage adjacent one end thereofadapted for communication with a source of water under pressure, aninlet valve seat associated with said inlet passage, an inlet controlvalve engageable with said inlet valve seat and defining with theopposite end of said casing a pressure chamber in said casing, a tankfilling water outlet passage communicating with the interior of saidcasing on the same side of said inlet control valve as said inlet valveseat, whereby communication between said tank lling and water inletpassages is interrupted by engagement of said inlet control valve withsaid inlet valve seat, a pressure equalizing passage through said inletcontrol valve placing said pressure chamber in communication with saidinlet passage, a bleed passage communicating with said chamber adjacentsaid opposite end of said casing for relieving the pressure in saidchamber, a bleed valve seat associated with said bleed passage, a bleedcontrol valve engageable with said bleed valve `seat and normally heldthereagainst by water in said pressure chamber, and a float guidinglysupported on said casing for movement therealong between elevatedandlowered positions relative thereto in response to changes in the waterlevel in anv associated tank, said bleed control valve being disengagedfrom said bleed valve seat to open said bleed passage upon movement ofsaid float to said lowered position and being free to engage said bleedvalveseat and close said bleed passage upon movement of said float tosaid elevated position, said inlet control valve being held inengagement with said inlet valve seat by the water in said chamber whenthe latter is at substantially source pressure and being disengaged fromsaid inlet valve seat by water in said inlet passage when the pressurein said chamber is relieved by opening said bleed passage, together witha surge damper positioned in said pressure chamber, said surge damperextending across said chamber and having a passage therethrough of smalldiameter relative to that of said chamber, together with arr-internalfloat member separate from said bleed control valve normally urging thelatter into engagement with said bleed valve seat, said internal floatmember being confined to said bleed portion of said chamber by saidsurge damper.

5. A toilet tank supply valve assembly comprising a normally generallyupright casing having a water inlet passage adjacent one end thereofadapted for communi- `cation with a source of water under pressure, aninlet control valve defining with the opposite end of said casing .apressure chamber in said casing, a tank filling water outlet passagefrom said casing, communication between said tank filling and waterinlet passages being interrupted by closing of said inlet control valve,a pressure equalizing passage placing said pressure chamber incommunication with said inlet passage, a bleed passage communicatingwith said chamber adjacent said opposite end of said casing forrelieving the pressure in said chamber, a bleed control valve, and afloat guidingly supported for movement between elevated and loweredpositions in response to changes in the water level in an associatedtank, said bleed control valve being moved to open said bleed passageupon movement of said float to said lowered position and being movableto close said bleed passage upon movement of said float to said elevatedposition, said inlet control valve being held closed by the water insaid chamber when the latter is at substantially source pressure andbeing opened by water in said inlet passage when the pressure in saidchamber is relieved by opening said bleed passage, together with a surgedamper positioned in said pressure chamber, said surge damper extendingacross said chamber and having a passage therethrough of small diameterrelative to that of said chamber, wherein said surge damper divides saidcharnber into a bleed portion and an inlet portion, and wherein saidsurge damper confines said bleed control valve to said bleed portion ofsaid chamber, together with an internal float member separate from saidbleed control valve normally urging the latter into engagement with saidbleed valve seat, said internal float member being confined to saidbleed portion of said chamber by said surge damper.

6. A toilet tank supply valve assembly comprising a normally generallyupright casing having a water inlet passage adjacent one end thereofadapted for communication with a source of water under pressure, aninlet control valve defining with the opposite end of said casing apressure chamber in said casing, a tank filling water outlet passagefrom said casing, communication between said tank filling and waterinlet passages being interrupted by closing of said inlet control valve,a pressure equalizing passage placing said pressure chamber incommunication with said inlet passage, a bleed passage communicatingwith said chamber adjacent said opposite end of said casing forrelieving the pressure in said chamber,

a bleed control valve, and a oat guidingly supported on said casing formovement therealong between elevated and lowered positions' relativethereto in response to changes in the water level in an associated tank,s aid bleed` control valve being moved to open said bleed passage uponmovement of said float to said lowered position and being movable toclose said bleed passageupon movement of `said oat to said elevatedposition, said inlet control valve being held closed by the water insaid chamber when the latter is at substantially source pressure andbeing opened when the pressure in said chamber is relieved by openingsaid bleed passage, wherein said ble'ed control valve has a partextending through said bleed passage beyond said opposite end of saidcasing, and said oat has a `transverse wall part engageable with saidbleed valve part to disengage said bleed control valve from said bleedvalve seat upon movement of said oat to said lowered position, saidtransverse wall part having an outlet passage therethrough' for theegress of water escaping from said bleed passage.

7. A toilet tank supplyvalve assembly as set forth in claim 6, whereinsaid float wall part is a cup shaped member having an inclined side wallportion `engageable with said bleed valve part to cant the same, andwherein said last-named outlet passage comprises an opening into saidcup adjacent the bottom thereof.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 727,743Brunner et al. May 12, 1903 802,330 Schulze a Oct. 17, 1905 1,470,213Black Oct. 9, 1923 1,494,786 Kawalle May 20, 1924 1,660,382 Hopkins Feb.28, 1928 2,278,178 Lannert Mar. 31, 1942 `2,588,242 Hunter Mar. 4, 19522,752,936 Cantalupo July 3, 1956 2,799,290 Sjirsky July 16, 19572,819,866 Blackman Jan; 14, 1958 2,834,379 Fields May 13, 1958 2,835,391Bottum May 20, 1958 2,895,707 Bailey July 21, 1959 2,899,978 Hruby Aug.18, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 153,027 Australia Aug. 31, 1953 85711 NorwayApr. 19, 1955

1. A TOILET TANK SUPPLY VALVE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A NORMALLY GENERALLYUPRIGHT CASING HAVING A WATER INLET PASSAGE ADAPTED FOR COMMUNICATIONWITH A SOURCE OF WATER UNDER PRESSURE, AN INLET CONTROL VALVE DEFINING APRESSURE CHAMBER IN SAID CASING, A TANK FILLING WATER OUTLET PASSAGEFROM SAID CASING, COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID TANK FILLING AND WATERINLET PASSAGES BEING INTERRUPTED BY CLOSING OF SAID INLET CONTROL VALVE,A PRESSURE EQUALIZING PASSAGE PLACING SAID PRESSURE CHAMBER INCOMMUNICATION WITH SAID INLET PASSAGE, A BLEED PASSAGE COMMUNICATINGWITH SAID CHAMBER FOR RELIEVING THE PRESSURE IN SAID CHAMBER, A BLEEDCONTROL VALVE, AND A FLOAT GUIDINGLY SUPPORTED FOR MOVEMENT BETWEENELEVATED AND LOWERED POSITIONS IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN THE WATER LEVELIN AN ASSOCIATED TANK, SAID BLEED CONTROL VALVE BEING MOVED TO OPEN SAIDBLEED PASSAGE UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID FLOAT TO SAID LOWERED POSITION ANDBEING MOVABLE TO CLOSE SAID BLEED PASSAGE UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID FLOAT TOSAID ELEVATED POSITION, SAID INLET CONTROL VALVE BEING HELD CLOSED BYTHE WATER IN SAID CHAMBER WHEN THE LATTER IS AT SUBSTANTIALLY SOURCEPRESSURE AND BEING OPENED BY WATER IN SAID INLET PASSAGE WHEN THEPRESSURE IN SAID CHAMBER IS RELIEVED BY OPENING SAID BLEED PASSAGE,TOGETHER WITH A SURGE DAMPER POSITIONED IN SAID PRESSURE CHAMBER, SAIDSURGE DAMPER EXTENDING ACROSS SAID CHAMBER AND HAVING A PASSAGETHERETHROUGH OF SMALL DIAMETER RELATIVE TO THAT OF SAID CHAMBER, SAIDSURGE DAMPER COMPRISING AN ELONGATED TUBULAR CENTRAL PORTION PROVIDINGSAID PASSAGE THERETHROUGH AND AN OUTER SKIRT PORTION CONCENTRICTHEREWITH AND BEARING AGAINST THE INNER WALL OF SAID CHAMBER, SAID SKIRTPORTION OPENING TOWARD SAID INLET CONTROL VALVE.